NYPD Holiday, Summer Driving Crackdown

By Liz Goff

Police from the Queens Highway Patrol Unit and local precincts will hit the streets this week in the kickoff of an NYPD crackdown on motorists who party hard and get behind the wheel over the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, and others that use cell phones or other electronic devices while driving.

The annual crackdown puts a significant number of cops on the street after the 4 a.m. closing time of most Queens bars and nightclubs on the lookout for drunk drivers, police sources said.

Police officials said the stepped-up enforcement is necessary to catch drunk drivers in the early morning hours, when they are finished partying for the night.

Many officers assigned to the enforcement are trained to identify drunk drivers by observing a motorists’ demeanor, how he or she is handling a vehicle and by engaging in conversation with the motorist to determine motor skills and if he or she is slurring their words, police sources said.

Police officials said officers would also issue summonses to motorists who fail to wear seat belts or provide approved child car seats for youngsters, and those who insist on using cell phones and other electronic devices while driving.

Police officials said Operation Cold Sober and other motor vehicle related enforcement would continue throughout the summer.